Booker T Washington Industrial Education Analysis

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Born into slavery, but freed shortly after, Booker T. Washington grew into an influential leader that caught the attention of many blacks, northerners, and even southerners. He proposed an idea of “industrial education”, in which blacks were to go to school and learn a trade. He believed in this way blacks would prove themselves valuable to the community and eventually grow into an equal member. Giving them something new to focus on they were able to direct their confusion into a positive outcome, but the solution would only be a temporary one. Like many things in history, Washington 's notion of industrial education was considered a compromise that sought to calm the people, but later raised more problems. Although Washington’s idea did send …show more content…

Du Bois addresses the recent actions of the Blacks trying to become a member of society as well as Booker T. Washington 's response to it. Washington 's way of life was the answer for many but for others, such as Du Bois, it was viewed as a scapegoat and a sort of surrender of Blacks. After hearing Washington 's proposal, Du Bois had a few comments of his own and soon after gave it the nick name The "Atlanta Compromise". He believed that “Washington 's counsels of submission overlooked certain elements of true manhood, and that his educational programme was unnecessarily narrow” (p.g. 700, Du Bois). Where Washington wants Blacks to take a step back from wanting to gain political power with a say in matters, Du Bois wants Blacks to step up and be seen. The use of this compromise was frowned upon by Du Bois, a scholarly man that held many degrees. He was one who believed the path was paved by developmental education. He proposed the idea of his people going to school to learn a variety of academics instead of just one trade. This way they would be just as knowledgeable as whites and still be able to serve their community equally. Du Bois argues that Washington merely offered a temporary solution to a problem that need much more thought behind …show more content…

Americans wanted the fertile land the Indians called their home but the Indians didn’t want to leave the land that had given them everything. So they made a compromise in which the Indians were to give up their land and in return they would be supplied with financial and material resources by the government. A few tribes decided to take the offer and go peacefully, but many resisted and were forcibly moved by the government (Loc.Gov). This compromised resulted in the government getting their land while at the same time the death of over fifteen to sixteen thousand Indians. “With the Act in place, Jackson and his followers were free to persuade, bribe, and threaten tribes into signing removal treaties and leaving the Southeast” (History.state.gov) . What was suppose to be a peaceful compromise between the Indians and the government turnt into profit for one and a Trail of tears for the other. Just as the Indians did, Blacks would receive the short end of the straw in Washington 's compromise. They would only be skilled in the one area and stuck in the same position the rest of their lives, similar to slavery days. Whites would have the upper hand being skilled in multiple disciplines which in return give the, the upper hand in every other aspect of life. It would be just as if we as whole never moved out if slavery

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